RSV Mortality Higher than for Influenza B After Hospital Discharge: Daily Dose

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On October 1, 2024, we reported on findings from a study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases that examined the clinical manifestations, mortality risk factors, and association with 90-days mortality among adults hospitalized with RSV or influenza A or B.

The study

The multicenter, retrospective cohort study included individuals hospitalized with RSV, influenza A or influenza B at 3 large Danish hospitals between March 2016 and April 2020. Inclusion required age of 18 years or older with a positive test for one of the viruses within 48 hours of hospital admission and hospitalization for at least 12 hours. Any cases of dual or triple infection with the 3 viruses were excluded.

The final cohort numbered 988 of whom 36% (353) were hospitalized with RSV, 35% (347) with influenza A, and 29% (288) with influenza B.

The findings

Researchers reported a significantly greater proportion of those infected with RSV died within 90 days of hospital discharge (17%) than with influenza A (9%, P = .005) or B (8%, P = .001).

The unadjusted odds (OR) of mortality within 90 days of hospital discharge were twice as high for RSV compared with both influenza A (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.30-3.25; P = .002) and influenza B (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.51-4.23; P < .001). However, after adjustment for covariates the association remained significantly higher for influenza B (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.2-3.87; P = .010), but not for influenza A (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.084-2.29; P = .207).

Authors' comment

"Our findings underscore the need for strategic testing and vaccination approaches to mitigate the impact of RSV among older adults."

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